Conference Theme
This year's theme is "Living in a Nuclear Free Zone". The conference theme takes its wording from the ironic "Nuclear Free Zone" signs that greet visitors to one of the birthplaces of nuclear science (see photo, above). A portion of the city charter, entitled the "Nuclear Free Berkeley Act", requires these signs as a visible reminder of the city's opposition to not only nuclear weapons, but nuclear power and "the nuclear fuel cycle as a whole".[1]
Unfortunately, though public opinion has begun to change, this anti-nuclear attitude is still widespread. This year’s theme was selected to highlight the diversity of opinion on the Berkeley campus and within the surrounding community. ANS / Berkeley hopes that the theme will serve as a starting point to address not only the benefits of nuclear technology, but also the challenges that must be confronted if the predicted renaissance of nuclear power is to be a timely reality.
The conference will explore activities in which students can participate to support and advance the nuclear engineering industry. Some of these activities are:
- Opening lines of communication between the nuclear community and the general public
- Creating opportunities for student outreach and public involvement to help improve public acceptance of the nuclear industry
- Publicizing ways in which students can build stronger community within the industry, including membership in professional organizations such as ANS
- Identifying ways to make a smoother transition into "the future of nuclear power" (the theme of last year's conference)
[1] City of Berkeley Municipal Code, Title 12, Chapter 12.90 (Nuclear Free Berkeley Act), Section 12.90.020.
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